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Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-50

Portability
81
Imaging
49
Features
57
Overall
52
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 front
 
Pentax K-50 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-50 Key Specs

Panasonic GH1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 3200)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 385g - 124 x 90 x 45mm
  • Introduced July 2009
  • Updated by Panasonic GH2
Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Introduced November 2013
  • Replaced the Pentax K-30
Photography Glossary

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-50 Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-50, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There is a significant difference among the image resolutions of the GH1 (12MP) and K-50 (16MP) and the GH1 (Four Thirds) and K-50 (APS-C) posses totally different sensor dimensions.

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The GH1 was introduced 5 years before the K-50 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Panasonic GH1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go into a detailed comparison, here is a quick summary of how the GH1 grades against the K-50 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH1 over the Pentax K-50

 GH1 K-50 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Panasonic GH1

 K-50 GH1 
IntroducedNovember 2013July 2009More recent by 53 months
Display resolution921k460kCrisper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic GH1 and Pentax K-50

 GH1 K-50 
Focus manually More precise focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Touch display Missing Touch display

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-50 Physical Comparison

When you are going to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic GH1 comes with external measurements of 124mm x 90mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8") with a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs) and the Pentax K-50 has sizing of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-50 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the GH1 against the K-50.

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-50 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the GH1 and K-50 is 81 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-50 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-50 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to see the difference in sensor measurements purely by going through specifications. The visual below might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the GH1 and K-50.

Plainly, the 2 cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The GH1 having a smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh harder and the Pentax K-50 will provide more detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The older GH1 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-50 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH1 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-50 Portrait photography features
59
you can focus manually
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
low MP (12MP)
74
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic GH1
Street photography with Pentax K-50
72
screen can move to multiple angles
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
above average high ISO (51,600)
no articulating screen
more heavy than average (650g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH1 Sports photography features
Pentax K-50 Sports photography features
32
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (320 shots)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
67
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
not so great battery power (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GH1 Travel photography information
Pentax K-50 Travel photography information
58
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
no Time Lapse recording
terrible battery pack (320 per charge)
low MP (12MP)
56
environment proofing
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
flash built-in
not so great battery power (410 CIPA)
more heavy than average (650g)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GH1 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-50 as a Landscape photography camera
55
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
terrible battery pack (320 per charge)
no Time Lapse recording
74
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
above average high ISO (51,600)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
not so great battery power (410 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH1 Vlogging info
Pentax K-50 Vlogging info
72
display is selfie friendly
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have mic socket
lack of image stabilization
28
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
no external microphone socket
more heavy than average (650g)
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Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH1 and Pentax K-50
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1Pentax K-50
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 Pentax K-50
Category Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2009-07-10 2013-11-27
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine HD PRIME M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 18.89 x 14.48mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 273.5mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 1600 51600
Max boosted ISO 3200 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 1.9 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.50 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 385 gr (0.85 lb) 650 gr (1.43 lb)
Physical dimensions 124 x 90 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 64 79
DXO Color Depth rating 21.6 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.6 13.0
DXO Low light rating 772 1120
Other
Battery life 320 photographs 410 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $949 $610